#themarked-if

Hi, everyone! It’s a week late (I’m so sorry about that), but it’s finally finished. At the time of my last post, the update was sitting around 25k-ish and somehow, it’s now at 35,554k. I don’t understand how or why I did that, but /shrug, lol. This brings the demo to 249,066k words (if my math isn’t abysmal). The update has a couple of bug fixes that have long been needed. A bug with the foreign affairs specialization for Guardians, an issue with an emotion stat saying the MC used magic rather than physical when dealing with the insurgent and some incorrect gender variables.

It took some time, but I included a prologue skip. Because of the heavy customization at the start of the game, It’s been added right after, just before your very first day of class. Using the feature will allow you to bypass everything up until orientation at the G.A. I’ve included the major choices, but I’ve not added anything off the beaten path. Extra relationship improvements from individual conversations (the relationship boosts will come from time spent for your lesson and for the canterberry festival—I may change that), additional stats from the market (including the destiny choice), hidden stats for more detailed customization, etc.

You can still create a custom character and test different affinities, relationship stats and other, broader gameplay features. It’s just that the smaller details will be missed.

As for what else is included in the update: [COG Demos Link] —Itch.io later!

♡ Confrontation with Preval post Anle’s conversation.

♡ Lystonian politics and culture lore.

♡ Chat with Luci.

♡ Meet a member of the Roznati.

♡ A tour around Arlani which includes a visit to the Museum and Lysto’s seat of power and a 1 on 1 with each of the ROs.

There are a couple of hidden branches in this update that require specific romance flags, friendship flags, or vary depending on customization choices. I think the best way to get the most out of it is by playing with the skip feature. I’ve been testing the game all night and I’ve been able to play it through without issue, but anything could happen. Please let me know if you run into any bugs and I’ll fix them as soon as I can.

I’ll say they split up while at an event!

Welling: Laughs as they take the drinks from MC and set them aside. “Don’t accept anymore drinks, okay? They gave them to you because—actually—why don’t you just stay by me for the rest of the night?” They’re keeping MC within arms reach until the event is over.

Venali: As soon as anyone with such an intention begins to head in MC’s direction, they’re crashing into a near translucent wall of magic; their drinks spilling over both themselves and the floor. Likely confused and embarrassed, in looking around for some kind of answer, they’ll quickly find it in Venali’s threatening gaze.

Trivelyn: “Oh,” they look on in surprise as they reach out to help MC get a handle on them. “I don’t know that you needed all of these, but that was quite nice of them.”

Em: “Free,” they repeat with amusement. Their lips brush along the shell of MC’s ear as they whisper: “It’s not free if they expect you in their bed by night’s end.” Pulling back, they chuckle at MC’s expression and move to return the drinks to the bar.

Oh, fun! I’ll make it specific to MC as I realized here that a lot of them aren’t the best at maintaining non-mc relationships lol.

Welling:

Positive: Supportive and attentive. A day will never go by in which MC won’t know how loved and cherished they are. There’s very little they wouldn’t do for MC. They’re steady, reliable and have a deep emotional maturity. They’ll stand by them always, even when they disagree.

Negative: If the MC is at risk of harm, they can be protective to the point of overbearing. They’re also possessive (light). They won’t monopolize MC’s time—they’ll respect boundaries—but they do want to be physically close.

Venali:

Positive: Truly a life partner through and through. When MC needs to lean on them, they’re there without question or complaint. There’s nothing they wouldn’t do to ensure MC’s wellbeing. They’ll be there even in the darkest of moments. They support MC’s choices and will stand by them.

Negative: They’re stubborn, they’re jealous and they don’t like their decisions being made for them.

Trivelyn:

Positive: Understanding and patient. MC is the apple of their eye and they would follow them anywhere. They’ll always be ready with gentle words or encouraging touches, they won’t allow MC to ever disparage themselves or feel overwhelmed. They’ll shoulder their burdens.

Negative: They tend to worry fairly easily in a way that can come across as pushy.

Em: (their routes change things, but this is generally speaking).

Positive: They’ll always keep an eye on MC. No harm or stress will come to them in either their professional or personal life. They’ll handle MC’s troubles with silent ease. They’re dependable and will make sure MC wants for nothing.

Negative: They have rigid expectations.

Anle:

Positive: Offers security, comfort and undying loyalty. They’re steady and collected. There’s no problem of MC’s that they can’t solve. The MC will always be cared for and their wellbeing will always be on their mind.

“Or whatever Venali does” lol

Welling: They’re going to end up being late because they’re indulging.

Venali: Knowing they have to get up, they resist MC’s temptations and get ready. Would return to kiss them goodbye to make up for it.

Trivelyn: Feels bad, but gets up anyway. While they get ready, they keep looking back at MC with apologetic eyes.

Em: Would pepper the MC with a few kisses, but then they expect to be let go.

Em’s reaction came to me instantly lol

Welling: Em is getting an unscheduled visit from Welling that next morning.

Venali: Likely a Chancellor at the time, they’re writing a strongly worded threat letter.

Trivelyn: Using their position to get in touch with said person’s supervisor and politely informing them of their underling’s behavior.

Em: Someone is losing everything they ever worked for very soon.

Bunch of silly babies lol

Welling: Sighs at their new dilemma. With their own engagement ring tucked away on the opposite side of the closet, they now have to consider whether MC would most enjoy proposing or being proposed to. For the next week, MC will spontaneously hear Welling groan in agony out of nowhere.

Venali: Quietly laughs with disbelief as they look it over. The thought that MC had been able to hide it so well from them would impress them. Putting it back where they got it, they continue on as if nothing is amiss (after telling their sister). But sometimes MC will notice them with a pleased little smile on their face.

Trivelyn: Suddenly full of nervous energy, they slam the drawer where they found it shut before reopening it and closing it gently. ‘Marriage? Me? They want to marry me?’ Just repeats in their mind over and over. The moment they’re face to face with MC, they manage to keep absolutely composed for at least an hour. Then when MC questions them about something mundane like: “Do you think these solberries are still good?” They blurt: “You want to marry me.”

Em: They recognize the smooth satin box and minnrle as soon as their eyes fall upon them. Their expression doesn’t change as they position it just beside its initial spot and turn it on its side. Then they move on, pretending they never saw it.

Here’s an older version that I’ll update/build on.

Welling: Would jolt slightly at the unexpected feeling of the MC’s arms wrapping around them. They would soon relax into the embrace, smiling warmly at the MC’s sleepy gaze peeking from over their shoulder. Unable to deny the soft plea, they’d gently pull away from the MC’s grasp before immediately taking hold of their hand and leading them back to bed.

Trivelyn: Having been pacing about the room—deep in thought about some theory no doubt—the MC’s sudden hug would make them spring away like a frightened cat. They’d share an embarrassed laugh before immediately diving back into their previous thoughts, eagerly sharing them with the MC. In a pattern as instinctive as their nature, their slender hands would flutter rapidly in an effort to keep up with their rambling. It would be a long moment before they took note of the MC’s bleary gaze and tired swaying, but they would sheepishly apologize and agree to go to bed.

Venali: The moment the MC appeared from around the corner of the study, sleepy plea falling from their lips, Venali’s ruby gaze would be on MC. The two books hovering before them would lower back onto the desk, the purple hue of their magic dissipating in ripples. They’d lean back into their seat, eyes glazed from what was likely hours of analysis. It’s only when the MC began to shuffle closer to them that they would stir. With a long sigh, they’d climb to their feet, meeting the MC halfway only to turn them around and usher them back to bed with a hand along their waist.

Em: Pausing from their work, they lean back in their chair and—propping an elbow against the arm—look towards MC with a thoughtful expression. Despite the late hours, their focus is sharp and lucid. Even as Em’s attentive eyes remain on MC’s person, it’s clear they’re simultaneously filtering through various other work related problems.

“Go ahead and sleep. I’ll join you in another 37 dials.”